The debate in Philadelphia also is playing out in communities across the U.S. Since 2007 at least 23 towns and cities have imposed restrictions on sharing food outdoors, according to research conducted by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and the National Coalition for the Homeless. Neil Donovan, that organization’s executive director, says he supports regulations designed to make sure people don’t get sick. Says Donovan: “The only thing worse than being homeless is being homeless on the street with a stomach infection.”

Other advocates for the homeless don’t believe new rules are needed. [more]